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VanZant event draws unexpectedly large crowds; supervisors propose special-event rules
Summary
VanZant Airport's 'Wings and Wheels' event drew crowds far beyond organizers' expectations; the new airport manager and supervisors recommended a special-event ordinance to require advance notification, planning and coordination with emergency responders for future large gatherings.
Tom Martin, the new airport manager at VanZant, told supervisors that a May 26 Wings and Wheels event drew far more attendees and show cars than organizers anticipated, creating traffic-management and safety challenges despite an overall successful event.
Martin said the event attracted the highest number of show cars in the operation's history — several hundred — and thousands of visitors, which overwhelmed planned traffic control and on-site resources. He said VanZant lacks a clear process for large special events and that an FAA investigator had been assigned to review certain aspects of the event; airport staff are cooperating.
"Our attendance was far in excess of anything we had expected," Martin said. "We had some local farmers...we literally had to get the people off of the roads." Board members proposed referring the issue to the Planning Commission to draft a special-event ordinance or application process that would require organizers to disclose expected attendance, emergency-response plans, and coordination with county parks, the airport authority and emergency responders.
Supervisors noted the township hosts other large events — a major bike ride, arts festival and polo — and said that with proper advance notice and planning, VanZant can again host large-scale events without compromising safety. They asked the Planning Commission to draft permitting or notification rules so the township, county park officials and emergency responders can coordinate in advance.
